Washu Fes at Osaka Bay Tower
Summer sake, sparkling labels, plum wine, mead, cider, and craft beer arrive at Osaka Bay Tower for a two-day celebration of Japanese beverages.
Summer in Osaka can be hot, humid, and relentless. Fortunately, one of Kansai’s largest Japanese beverage festivals returns just in time with chilled sake, sparkling labels, plum wine, cider, mead, and more than 140 beverages to sample over two days at Osaka Bay Tower.
Held on July 11 and 12, the 14th Washu Fes at Osaka Bay Tower brings together 28 producers from across Japan for a tasting experience that goes well beyond traditional sake festivals. Visitors can sample an extensive range of beverages while speaking directly with brewers, producers, and industry experts about flavor profiles, production methods, and regional traditions.
While sake remains at the heart of the event, the lineup reflects the growing diversity of Japan’s beverage culture. Alongside seasonal summer sake and premium labels, visitors will find sparkling sake, plum wine, shochu, amazake, liqueurs, mead, cider, and even craft beer. The result is an event that appeals equally to dedicated sake enthusiasts and newcomers simply looking to explore something new.
One of the festival’s biggest draws is the opportunity to compare drinks side-by-side while speaking directly with producers, brewery representatives, and beverage specialists about flavor profiles, regional traditions, and production methods. Conversations that might be impossible to have in a restaurant or bottle shop happen naturally here, creating an atmosphere that is as much about discovery as it is about tasting.
Food vendors and stage programming add to the experience throughout the weekend, while the venue itself offers a comfortable and easily accessible setting connected directly to Bentencho Station. Visitors can move between tasting booths, meet producers from different regions, and build their own tasting journey over the course of each session.
For visitors curious about Japanese drinks, Washu Fes offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of modern Japanese beverage culture in a single location. For longtime fans, it provides a chance to discover seasonal releases, limited labels, and new producers without leaving Osaka.
Whether you’re searching for a new favorite sake, exploring Japan’s emerging craft beverage scene, or simply looking for a unique summer weekend experience, Washu Fes continues to be one of the most approachable and enjoyable tasting events on Osaka’s calendar.
140+ Beverages – Taste sake, sparkling sake, plum wine, mead, cider, craft beer, and more.
28 Producers – Meet breweries and beverage makers from across Japan.
Unlimited Tastings – Sample freely throughout your session.
Summer Sake Selection – Discover seasonal labels served chilled for summer.
Direct Access to Producers – Speak with brewers and experts about flavor, pairing, and production.
Photos: Official Website, Video: Official YouTube Channel
Opening Hours
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Venue: Osaka Bay Tower 2F Atrium Plaza
Address: 1-2-4 Benten, Minato-ku, Osaka 552-0007
Nearest Stations
JR Osaka Loop Line → Bentencho Station
Central North Exit → Direct Connection
Osaka Metro Chuo Line → Bentencho Station
Exit 2A → Direct Connection
From Umeda
JR Osaka Loop Line → Bentencho Station
Approximately 10 minutes
From Namba
Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line → Awaza Station → Transfer to Chuo Line → Bentencho Station
Osaka Bay Tower is directly connected to Bentencho Station, making Washu Fes one of the easiest major tasting events in Osaka to reach without a car.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Session 1
12:00–14:10
Session 2
15:00–17:10
Festival MC
Aki Yoshikawa (吉川亜樹)
Television personality, certified sake specialist, and former judge for the Japan Women’s SAKE Award.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Session 1
12:00–14:10
Session 2
15:00–17:10
Festival MC
Rino Tanaka (田中梨乃)
Miss Sake Japan 2017 and food culture presenter with credentials in sake, tea, seafood, and culinary education.
Each session operates independently and requires a valid ticket for entry.
Visitors should arrive early to maximize tasting time and avoid queues at popular producers.
TICKETS
Advance Ticket: ¥3,600
Each ticket includes:
- Unlimited tastings during your session
- Official Washu Fes ochoko
- Festival uchiwa fan
- 500ml bottle of water
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets are available through the official Washu Fes ticket page:
https://sakefes.com/osaka14/
Advance purchase is recommended as individual sessions may sell out.
English-language event information and ticket details are available through the official Washu Fes international page:
https://sakefes.com/en_osaka/
Age Requirements
Participants must meet Japan’s legal drinking age requirement of 20 years or older.
Session Entry
Admission is valid only for the session printed on your ticket:
Session 1
12:00–14:10
Session 2
15:00–17:10
THE EXPERIENCE
Washu Fes offers the opportunity to sample more than 140 beverages from 28 producers across Japan in a single venue.
Visitors can:
- Taste sake, sparkling sake, plum wine, shochu, amazake, mead, cider, liqueurs, and craft beer.
- Speak directly with brewers and producers.
- Compare regional styles side-by-side.
- Discover seasonal summer releases and limited labels.
- Purchase selected products from participating producers.
Unlike a restaurant or bar, the event encourages exploration and comparison, making it easy to discover new breweries and styles in a single session.
INFO & TIPS
Many attendees approach Washu Fes as a tasting journey rather than a drinking event, moving from booth to booth while speaking directly with producers and comparing styles from different regions of Japan.
- Start with lighter and sparkling beverages before moving to richer styles.
- Use the included water to stay hydrated throughout the session.
- Popular producers may develop queues later in the event.
- Bring a small bag if you plan to purchase bottles from participating producers.
- Eat before attending or pair your tasting with food available at the venue.
- Public transportation is strongly recommended.
- Consider taking notes or photos of labels to remember your favorites.
